Kasich Let Concealed Carry Bill Become Law Without His Signature

Gov. John Kasich will allow a gun bill to become law without his signature, using an unusual procedure under Ohio law.

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Kasich said Friday that he will not sign a bill, SB 81, that waives the concealed carry license fee and training mandate for active members of the armed forces or for honorably discharged or retired veterans. The bill passed both the Ohio House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support.

But it will become law, without Kasich's signature, once it is filed with the Secretary of State’s office.

Spokesperson Jon Keeling says it’s the first time the governor has used this procedure to pass a law. Keeling says the legislature let politics get in the way of passing other common-sense gun legislation Kasich wanted.

Keeling says Kasich thinks this bill has merit and should pass, but the next piece of gun-related legislation the governor will sign needs to be the package that includes a ban on bump stocks and red flag laws.

House Speaker Ryan Smith previously said that the chamber won’t take up HB 585, which was introduced by Republican state Rep. Michael Henne. The bill, which is backed by Ohio school, police and clergy groups, also requires gun purchases to be entered in a state-wide law enforcement database, and prohibits people with a history of domestic violence from owning guns.

Records show more than 200 courts across Ohio failed to respond to Gov. John Kasich’s executive order seeking more information on their history with the national background check database used in stopping gun-related crimes.

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